altitude sickness

gman1

Active Member
Nov 29, 2011
166
5
North Dakota
Can the members help me with altitude sickness? I was looking at two otc pills but don't know if Meclizine or Dramamine would work or if there is a better choice out there. I did notice that these two were used for motion sickness and my not work for my upcoming elk hunt this fall.
Thanks for your assistance.
Gman
 

HuskyMusky

Veteran member
Nov 29, 2011
1,321
172
IL
Never heard of either of those for altitude sickness.... have heard of diamox?

honestly, I strongly believe being fitter, more aerobically fit can only help...I know they say it doesn't matter when it comes to getting altitude sickness...
but my thinking is.... lets say you go high out of shape and now you're hiking hard etc... you're at altitude red lining your body.....vs. being in shape aerobically....now you're hiking hunting hard....but instead of red lining you're cruising along...

also distance running has been studied so in depth about your body utilizing oxygen more efficiently... which in my eyes can only help.

1 formula I believe in....is jogging at a heart beat = 180 - your age, so if you're 45.... 180-45= 135 is a good target heart rate to build endurance and develop your aerobic system.

good luck on everything!
 
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taskswap

Very Active Member
Jul 9, 2018
523
379
Colorado
Do you know for sure you're susceptible? A common myth about altitude sickness is that fitness (or lack thereof) is the major factor. It's one detail, but plenty of very fit people get it anyway. It's all about your limits. Whatever they are, push them, and you're in trouble.

There are plenty of other things you can do that help. Avoiding excessive caffeine and alcohol is another. I've heard that antacid tablets (taken before you start your hike) can help but that seems to be in the "may help" category...

The longer you give yourself to acclimate the lower your chances of getting it. Try to get in early but also slowly. Don't head straight up to 12,000' in your first few hours if you've never spent time there before. Also, if you're REALLY worried, a can or two of "sport oxygen" is super light and provides immediate (though short) relief.
 
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ore hunter

Very Active Member
Jul 25, 2014
699
114
start taking ginko balopa a week or 2 before you leave,,that has helped me at elavations to 12850 in colo this year,,ive heard cialis also works up high, but need a prescript.
 
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mallardsx2

Veteran member
Jul 8, 2015
3,806
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Even though I am not affected by altitude I take these. I dont even notice the thin air to be honest. I hunted above 10,000 for 14 days and never had an issue.

I had a buddy get sickness really bad that year and he had to go home. He was fat and out of shape which didnt help matters. He even got sick at 7,000 feet....so I would say he just isnt cut out for hunting the west.
 
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mallardsx2

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Jul 8, 2015
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On another note: I would not take Dramamine ..... that will make you sleepy as shit and its more for sea sickness in my opinion. I would never take that on a hunt.
 
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JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
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Gypsum, Co
The big thing with altitude sickness is that you need to get accumulated to the altitude if you want to hunt higher, and drugs are not a good way to do it.

Get to your hunting area 1 or 2 days ahead of time. The first day just take it easy and drink lots of water. It takes time for your body to adjust to anything that you are not used to and the more time that you can give it the better off you will be.

I have a friend that has climbed Mt Everest 4 times, he didn't make it the first 3 times due to a person in his group coming down with it and all they could do was to move the sick hiker down lower in altitude.
 
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hutty

New Member
Oct 17, 2017
48
7
Diamox is a script you can get from your doctor. You need to start taking it a few days before you leave and continue taking it while hunting.
 
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Fink

Veteran member
Apr 7, 2011
1,961
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West Side, MoMo
On another note: I would not take Dramamine ..... that will make you sleepy as shit and its more for sea sickness in my opinion. I would never take that on a hunt.
Just say no to Dramamine. I took some once on an offshore fishing trip... I could barely function, it made me so drowsy.

In addition to acclimating to altitude as slowly as possible, I've found that staying VERY hydrated really helps me. Whenever I'm planning on being in higher altitudes, I always start really hydrating leading up to my trip, and stay hydrated throughout.
 
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87TT

Very Active Member
Apr 23, 2013
593
1,052
Idaho
+ 1 on adjusting to the altitude a day or 2 ahead of time. Work up slowly. I have heard aspirin can help the symptoms. Caffeine helps me if I start to feel headachy. Keep hydrated. I have climbed over 14,000 ft without getting sick and camped at 11,500. If you feel sick, go back down now!
 

JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
7,065
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Gypsum, Co
Also if you have a dog along for one reason or another, they also can get altitude sickness and it is usually too late by the time you see that they are sick to do anything about it.

I watched a ladies dog die one time from it after they called the mobile vet that is in the area and they were only at around 8500', they had come to Colorado from Florida.